Sidney Towner Phelan letter to mother - July 6, 1917
Transcript
[American Ambulance Hospital of Paris] July 6, 1917 Dearest Mother, I was promoted today from corporal to sergeant. I have D squad in Section OC (Rex's Section). My squad consists of 5 cars and 10 men. Gordon Sutherland is my corporal. The rest of my squad have recently arrived and I have a lot of work before me as I have to handle them in drill, see that they get all their police papers, driving licenses and etc; see that their cars are kept in repair and see that they have oil and gas and keep a record of all they get; arrange their off days and keep track of them at all times. For example they must see me for permission to leave the grounds, get my O.K. to take out a car or get gas for it.
Transcript
Our cars are 4 speed Panards and are old cars. We have to go over nearly every car and put it in good shape. Gordon Sutherland is a skilled mechanic and he is my driver as well as corporal which is very lucky as I would hardly qualify as a 1st driver. We have gone over our own car and put it in fine shape. We have spent two days on it now and will work on it for a few more. This afternoon two squads from our section went out in convoy (our practice). We have to drill in convoy much as troops do and that takes real driving. We go by squads 5 cars in line then a gap then the next squad and so on. We have the right of way over all traffic except only guns, munitions, blesses and staff cars. We have orders to let no traffic break through our convoy and so if they try it there will be a great smash up. I think they are tuning us up to go to the front in a very short while.
Transcript
[American Ambulance Hospital of Paris] I am getting so I thrive on work and don’t enjoy myself unless there is some to be done. When I look back on myself as I was at home it seems quite unreal. That existence of mine seems detached from myself and almost like some creation of my imagination. All I did then was to eat and loaf. Over here I have taken to the habit biting off as much as I can chew and chewing it. I have been pushing myself along and working like a horse and I like it. Just now I have a job on my hands as I should be a competent driver and mechanic and have had real military training as the basis for my job. Then I will have some competition as there are privates in the ranks who are older than
Transcript
I am, college graduates successful business men and skilled drivers. For example there is our private who is a Yale graduate Phi Beta Kappa man. He also graduated from Sheffield engineering school at Yale and won high honors. He also graduated from Harvard law school with high honors. In addition he can drive well and is a peach of an all around fellow and good companion. So you see I have competition but don't get worried as I am not. If Val comes over have him get all his shirts, shoes, underclothes and everything but his uniform at home as prices are going up fast. One of my friends for example paid $40 for a pair of boots. They are pretty good boots too. I wont be able to write so often now as I am busy all the time. Lots of love, Towner
Details
| Title | Sidney Towner Phelan letter to mother - July 6, 1917 |
| Creator | Phelan, Sidney Towner |
| Source | Phelan, Sidney Towner. Letter to mother. 6 July 1917. Sidney Towner Phelan Papers, 1899-1960. A1209. Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | Sidney Towner Phelan, a St. Louis, Missouri native, wrote this letter to his Mother while serving as a volunteer ambulance driver in France during World War I. He wrote numerous letters to his mother while overseas. In this letter, Phelan wrote that he had been promoted from Corporal to Sergeant. He also described the makeup of his unit - the soldiers, the equipment, etc. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--France; World War, 1914-1918--Equipment and supplies; Ambulance driving |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; American Ambulance Hospital of Paris |
| Site Accession Number | A1209 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | July 6, 1917 |
| Language | English |